Alaska Airlines will add new premium class with more of the stuff that makes flying almost tolerable - Los Angeles Times
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Alaska Airlines will add new premium class with more of the stuff that makes flying almost tolerable

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Alaska Airlines plans to add a new premium class next year and is reducing the number of seats on some aircraft to make way for the roomier option.

The airline announced Thursday that premium-class fliers will enjoy 3 to 4 inches more legroom than that of standard coach seats. They’ll also receive priority boarding.

The airline said in a statement that it’s responding to customers who say “more personal space and extra perks are a priority.”

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To add the new class, Alaska will retrofit as many as 60 planes with 12 to 30 premium-class seats. First-class and Preferred Plus seating (the latter referring to bulkhead and exit rows, which cost extra) will remain as options.

Flight attendant Jenn-Marie Mann shows how carry-on roller bags fit up on their sides in new larger luggage bins installed on an Alaska Airlines 737-900ER airplane.

Flight attendant Jenn-Marie Mann shows how carry-on roller bags fit up on their sides in new larger luggage bins installed on an Alaska Airlines 737-900ER airplane.

(Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)

For now, Alaska isn’t saying how much more premium-class will cost or what “extra perks” it plans to offer fliers to lure them to spend more money on their airfare.

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Elite members of the airline’s free Mileage Plan program may receive a free upgrade to premium class, based on availability.

In July, Alaska announced that the Boeing Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX planes will have roomier overhead bins that can hold almost 50% more luggage than standard bins.

The switch will boost the number of bags that fit in a bin from 117 to 174.

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